Deer Creek Hills - is a privately owned 4400 acre working cattle ranch located 11 miles south of Folsom, near Hwy 16 and Rancho Murieta. They offer guided trail rides on specific days throughout the spring and one in Nov. The ranch is open to hikers Feb - Nov on Saturdays and on Sundays open February - June (check website for times) - cost $10 per outing. The ranch is also open to Mountain Bikes on specific days in June through Oct. - cost $10 per outing. For trail rides the ranch is open from 10 am to 2 pm, ready to ride at 11. Cost - $20 per horse and rider (barn discounts available). Bring a sack lunch if you wish to eat there after your ride. An annual pass can be purchased for $40 and is good for trail rides, hiking and mountain biking. For more info contact Gina Silvernale, Outreach Coordinator at Sacramento Valley Conservancy at 916-612-3719www.sacramentovalleyconservancy.org

Cool Hills Ranch- located in Cool Ca off Hwy 49. The ranch is a full service boarding and training facility that also offers many clinics throughout the year. The ranch has an on site trainer - Russ Grossman. There is a 28 stall barn, covered arena, an outside uncovered arena, 2 wash racks, hot walker, tack room and access to miles of trails on to the Auburn State Recreation Area. The owner's home is located on the ranch. The horses are turned out in the morning and are brought in during the evenings. Check out their web site at www.coolhillsranch.comPhone 530-308-2450 email cristine@coolhillsranch.comRuss Grossman 530-305-1977Cool Hills Ranch is also now offering lessons withSamantha Marchfor all ages and all levels of experience. Samantha has been working with horses and their riders for over 20 years. All disciplines - English or Western, show or pleasure, arena or trail. If you want to further your goals as a rider or take your horse to the next level of training, Samantha can help you. Lessons are $35/hr. Please call Samantha for more information at 916-825-5427.

B & L Stables, located in Elk Grove - clinics are routinely held here for trail, show tuneup and training. Lauren Murrell is the trainer and works with all breeds specializing in stock horses and Tennessee Walkers. Trail for the show arena is her true love although she trains in many other aspects of riding. Please visit her web site www.blstables.com for more information and upcoming clinics. EMAIL: info@blstables.comPhone: (916) 690-2911

Running I Ranch - 1700 Alexander Hill Lane Dunnigan, CA 95937(for pictures go to the Running I Ranch tab) Facility is routinely used for Region 3 Gymkhana Shows, Trail Trial Events, Clinics, Mounted Shooting Demonstrations, and other events that require arenas. They also have a fantastic trail course which is constantly being added to that will definitely test your horse - a truly great experience. They hold Trail Trial practices approx once a month weather permitting. Please check out their web site www.runningiranch.com for flyer's and entries to upcoming events.530 724-4120Open Trail Obstacle PracticeCost: $20.00 per horse and rider combination

Look for these to continue as long as the weather holds (will post dates as they are set).